IT TAKES A TEAM
Tommy Williams has served the Army as both a Soldier and civilian, so he knows that working independently is important, but teamwork is most beneficial when you need to accomplish a task. “It takes the entire team for a successful program to be developed and provide the warfighters with a capability that will enhance their Soldier skills,” he said. “Tis is important work we do and must be taken seriously as taxpayers expect us to use funds properly and provide the warfighter with the tools and resources needed in order to take the battle to our foes.”
TOMMY L. WILLIAMS
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation
TITLE: Lead logistician YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 45 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 25
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Advanced in life cycle logistics
EDUCATION: MBA in acquisition and con- tract management, American Graduate Univer- sity; M.A. in counseling and human resources, University of Oklahoma; B.A. in criminology, Saint Leo University; A.A. in general studies, Georgia Military College
AWARDS: Legion of Merit; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (4); Army Achievement Medal (5); Meritorious Civilian Service Medal; Civilian Service Com- mendation Medal; Civilian Service Achieve- ment Medal
Williams, who began his career with the Army in 1985 as an active-duty Soldier and logistics officer, is currently the lead logistician for the Virtual Training Systems Port- folio—the basic electronic maintenance trainer and family of maintenance trainers for Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (designed as part task trainer and diagnostic task trainer)—at the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumen- tation (PEO STRI). According to Williams, these simulations are located at various Army installations (active, Reserve and National Guard facilities) whereby the Soldier can train and troubleshoot defaults without having to use a live vehicle.
“In my job we develop simulators for warfighters to train on in a simulated environ- ment, from weapons to vehicles and aircrafts,” he said. “Simulation reduces accidents and it’s the most cost-effective way to achieve the best end result.”
Being active-duty in logistics, he said, there is some involvement in acquisition, but he became more involved after he retired from the military and joined the civilian work- force. “I came to PEO STRI from Saudi Arabia via Priority Placement Program. Tis was my first coded acquisition position and an eye opener,” Williams said. Coded meaning an employee should be certified through training, education and experience standards, based on the duties of the position. “Tere is so much to learn and put into action that always benefits the warfighter and Department of the Army.”
Te Priority Placement Program provides career placement assistance to eligible DOD employees who have been adversely affected by events at their work location through no fault of their own. What appealed to Williams the most about Army acquisition was what went on behind the scenes in fielding equipment that everyday Soldiers and civil- ians do not typically get to see.
“One of the most important points in my career is that you are at the ‘tip of the spear,’ ” he said. “Meaning that we are involved in the survivability of the warfighter and increas- ing Soldier readiness. Soldiers’ skills and training is what helps to win wars, and being in acquisition as a logistician I play a critical role in successful training of the warfighter.”
Although being assigned to an acquisition position earlier in his career would have been of great benefit, Williams said he’s had the opportunity to take advantage of many valu- able programs, courses and training to make up for that.
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Army AL&T Magazine
Spring 2024
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